Last night, landscape architecture firm Mahan Rykiel Associates and The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore revealed its first concepts for a new Rash Field. In January, approximately 200 people met to offer ideas and feedback about the project and Mahan Rykiel, along with The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, additionally commissioned an online survey about the future of Rash Field. The collective feedback received helped shape the plans which highlights beach volleyball, an anchor at Rash Field for the last 17 years, as well as with new sections of the space designed to diversify park uses.

In the plan, volleyball will get a seven-court setup, the same amount of courts currently in place, in a new section called The Sand Box on the western side of the park. The courts will be stacked with four courts closer to Key Hwy. and three courts closer to the Inner Harbor. Immediately east of The Sand Box is a large grassy area called The Lawn. With a length of 100 yards by 50 yards, The Lawn will be able to accommodate full-length soccer games and can be configured for social sports. The Rash Field operators plan to partner with local schools and sports leagues for programming at The Lawn. New soil technologies will additionally be used to improve drainage at Rash Field.

Adjacent to The Lawn to the north is The Game Allee. This will be an area for bocce ball, ping pong, and other yard activities. The existing bleachers adjacent to Key Hwy. will be broken up to add in new landscaping, as well as to create nooks called Reading Rooms for relaxing and reading. Richard Jones of Mahan Rykiel noted the bleachers will still have the same amount of stairs, which are used regularly by The November Project and patrons using the park to exercise.

Other sections include The Overlook and Wall, which will feature a small peg rock climbing wall, and the Play Lab & Cafe, which is located towards the northwestern section of the park where vendors and food trucks can potentially set up, as well as a space for a playground. Mahan Rykiel is also looking at changing up the existing pavilion for vendor use.

Throughout the park and surrounding The Lawn will be a running trail made of a gravel surface. Jones noted it will be the same style surface that is getting installed at Eager Park in East Baltimore. His team chose this surface after consulting with physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital about the best running surfaces for a runner’s body.

The plan also includes a garden adjacent to the Rusty Scupper and garage, as well as the relocation of the Pride of Baltimore Memorial. Additionally, the facility’s bathrooms, which are often locked, will be renovated and a berm separating the park and Inner Harbor promenade will be removed and replaced with new landscaping and trees.

The plan was very well received by many in attendance but concerns were also shared in the Q & A session and during the work groups. Several in attendance, as well as all the work groups, noted the number of volleyball courts was not increased in the new plan. Baltimore Beach Volleyball estimates they have 2,500 weekly users, with a growing demand to expand. Concerns were also shared about the aging overhead lighting at the park, which is not in the plans to be replaced, though Mahan Rykiel noted that safe levels of lighting would be installed throughout the park. The users also wanted to make sure safety measures and maintenance continued at the park with the many new uses proposed. Many attendees also hoped to see a winter ice rink in the park.

Baltimore Beach Volleyball President Todd Webster told SouthBMore.com he was positive about the progress and happy to see the park get some “desperately needed attention.”

Webster has been planning a second venue, in addition to Rash Field, to meet the growing demand for volleyball. He did not disclose the location or timeline for the venue at this time.

Mahan Rykiel will take into consideration the feedback received and will present a plan to the Baltimore City Planning Department’s Urban Design & Architecture Review Panel (UDARP) in April. Feedback can also be submitted at rashfield.org.

The city has $4.5 million budgeted for the first round of improvements with an additional $4.5 million expected in upcoming years. Jones anticipated construction could take about 18 months and a groundbreaking is anticipated for the summer or fall of 2017 .

Mahan Rykiel’s work in Baltimore includes Pierce’s Park at Pier 5; East Baltimore’s Eager Park, which is now under construction; and, a master plan for Patterson Park. The firm is also currently working with the Downtown Partnership on a redevelopment of McKeldin Square adjacent to the Inner Harbor.

Creator of SouthBmore.com and resident of SoBo. Graduate of Towson University and owner of Incept Multimedia, a full service video production company. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, beach volleyball enthusiast, dog lover and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.

Go to rashfield.org and let them know! Also, turf installation is the type of project Under Armour or the Ripken Foundation would get behind, so if you have any ability to let them know that would be good too.

Ralph

Looks great but it really comes down to maintenance. The city is a little…lacking…in this area of its duties.

Magnificent exterior amenities include the 2-car garage, a private driveway with parking for 10 cars, a fenced front yard, a private courtyard, a slate patio with a built-in firepit, and 2 massive rooftop decks with dazzling views of Charm City.

Million Dollar Monday: ENTERTAINER’S DREAM HOME WITH AMAZING OUTDOOR SPACES AND 12-CAR PARKING IN FEDERAL HILL’S GATED COMMUNITY

Join 2 East Wells and 1901 South Charles on Tuesday, October 17th from 6pm-8pm for Pizza Patrol in the 1901 South Charles courtyard. The event is a chance to meet Baltimore Police Department officers and neighbors while enjoying pizza and light refreshments.

Pizza Patrol on October 17th at 1901 South Charles

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Screw Cancer Brew Hope at Crossbar, plus business news including a restaurant closing in Federal Hill, a company leaves City Garage for a bigger space, Baltimore makes a run at hosting the World Cup, a Federal Hill business expands, and Under Armour signs a recording artist.

Hanover Cross Street is the newest and most desirable residential apartment community to arrive in the prominent Baltimore neighborhood of Federal Hill. Explore the very best of “charm city,” including the historic Cross Street Market, Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium– all within walking distance from your new home.We are now offering 1 MONTH FREE on all 13+ month lease terms! Schedule your tour today!

Chief, Culler, and Snow Available for Adoption at BARCS!

The Orioles today announced that the eighth annual Orioles Pet Calendar, presented by Pet+E.R., will go on sale Saturday, August 20, with proceeds benefiting the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), a nonprofit shelter that accepts and cares for all animals in need.

Holiday Decorating Contest Gallery

Dogs of SoBo Gallery

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Join 2 East Wells and 1901 South Charles on Tuesday, October 17th from 6pm-8pm for Pizza Patrol in the 1901 South Charles courtyard. The event is a chance to meet Baltimore Police Department officers and neighbors while enjoying pizza and light refreshments.

Pizza Patrol on October 17th at 1901 South Charles

The Catholic Community of South Baltimore presents its annual OKTOBERFEST Saturday, October 7.
German Food, Beer & Soda, Burgers & Brats, Potato Salad & Kraut! Polka with the Band! Play the $1,000 Raffle, Games & Wheels!

Catholic Community of South Baltimore Oktoberfest This Saturday

Joined by friends and neighbors, we had an incredible time at our third annual SouthBMore’s Best Bash at Little Havana. Thanks for voting in SouthBMore’s Best, which crowned 31 South Baltimore winners, and thanks for celebrating with us. We look forward to seeing you again next year

Get jiggy with us on September 22, 2017 at Power Plant LIVE! We’ll be kicking it old school with live music from 90’s cover band, the Bayside Tigers! Costume contests, dance contests, food and drink, a VIP lounge, and 90’s memories galore, the event will bring together supporters far and wide to celebrate UCF’s founding in 1997 and raise awareness for the young adult cancer fight.

Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Hosts ‘I Heart the 90’s Dance Party’ on September 22nd

SouthBMore’s Best 2017 is SouthBMore.com’s 3rd annual competition and celebration of the best of South Baltimore (…check out past winners!) Readers will cast their votes in various categories to select the best restaurants, businesses, foods, drinks, attractions, and professionals in South Baltimore.

Water Main Break at Fort Avenue and Jackson Street in Riverside

Metallica, which played last Wednesday at M&T Bank Stadium, posted a video montage of their visit to Baltimore on YouTube and Facebook. The video is titled ‘Metallica: Thank You Baltimore!’ and is set to an instrumental version of ‘Nothing Else Matters.’

Domino Sugar Refinery Unveils Latest Improvements in Locust Point

The Orioles today announced that the eighth annual Orioles Pet Calendar, presented by Pet+E.R., will go on sale Saturday, August 20, with proceeds benefiting the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), a nonprofit shelter that accepts and cares for all animals in need.

Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore will begin work on the redevelopment of Rash Field next summer. Last week, Waterfront Partnership announced the skatepark at Rash Field will be named “Jake’s Skatepark” in memory of Jake Owen, a South Baltimore resident, avid skater, and sports lover, who was killed in 2011 when he was five years old by a cell phone-distracted driver.

Rash Field Skatepark to Honor Memory of South Baltimore Resident Jake Owen

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults Screw Cancer Brew Hope at Crossbar, plus business news including a restaurant closing in Federal Hill, a company leaves City Garage for a bigger space, Baltimore makes a run at hosting the World Cup, a Federal Hill business expands, and Under Armour signs a recording artist.

South Baltimore Business Roundup

The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) relocated in August from 1 East Pratt St. Downtown to Silo Point in Locust Point. EAGB is the first tenant to use the approximately 3,000 sq. ft. space which has sat vacant since the building opened in 2008 by Turner Development. A concept called FoodLifePoint was proposed for the space in 2011, but never opened.

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore Relocates to Silo Point in Locust Point

Fat Larry’s at 1026 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill closed last month. The space is now available for lease and owner Larry Davidov has put the restaurant’s former six-day tavern liquor license up for sale.

Fat Larry’s in Federal Hill Closes, Former Liquor License for Sale

28 Walker is going for a “co-living” concept at Wheelhouse, inspired by buildings such as Ollie, which has a location in Pittsburgh and which is opening four additional buildings. Wheelhouse’s 29 apartments will be mostly three- and four-bedroom units, along with one-bedroom apartments and small studios.